Omega Speedmaster Pro

[Groundhog66]

I have lusted after one of these for quite some time now, and I'm not really sure why. Can we discuss the pros/cons of this beauty (IMO)?


I should mention, I prefer a vintage example if I can find one.

[kingrat]

There are no cons, this watch is awesome. I have yearned for one of these for a while too. Understated class

[Groundhog66]

Perhaps we can find a 2 for 1 sale somewhere, huh?  


smileys-drinking-beer

[kingrat]

:-)

[estrickland]

After a lot of struggling between the various flavors, I chose the 3570.50.

I like the refraction from the Hesalite, and the ritual of Polywatching every so often is a nice one.

I tried it on leather and on a GGB SPV1, but went back to the fantastic bracelet.



Sadly, I haven't really fallen in love with it.
It's a nice piece, but at some point I'll probably sell it in favor of a vintage Cal. 321 model.

[Groundhog66]

What are the different variations?

[donciccio]

oh yeah ... she's a boneable beauty. I'm a big fan of this model. I have a vintage speedmaster , but not like this one.

[WatchDawg]

Based on the reality that Seiko divers do everything a watch of its type should, especially the upper level examples, I have zero desire to blow huge bugs on a Rolie or any other Swiss 'uber' brand . . . but when it comes to chronos, the Speedy is without peer in my eyes and has remained my favourite watch since the early seventies and I would gladly hand over the coin to own one of the classic late sixties/early seventies 861 models . . . it would shit me to tears having to wind the bastard thing and avoid getting it wet but, hey, small price to pay for owning arguably the most historically significant ticker ever produced. 

[estrickland]

Jul 2, 2013 16:17:02 GMT -8 Groundhog66 said:

What are the different variations?

Oy there are a number of them - there are at least 24 LE's for various anniversaries, with the most recent (AFAIK) being the FOIS (First Omega In Space, commemorating the 50th anniversary of Wally Schirra wearing a Speedy on the Mercury Atlas 8 mission in 10/1962).

The main production Speedies right now are:
The 3570.50
   Classic moonwatch. Hesalite crystal, solid caseback with the 'Flight certified by NASA for all manned space missions / The first watch worn on the moon" caption).

The 3573.50
   Sapphire crystal. Display case back with the factually incorrect caption "The first and only watch worn on the moon." (Lots of info here: www.chronomaddox.com/moonmovement.html)

A discontinued main production model is the 3572.50, which has a Hesalite crystal and a display back, with the factually correct caption "First watch worn on the moon." I was very tempted to get this over a 3570.50, but decided that the classic Moonwatch is the best 1st Speedy.

All of these watches use modified versions of the Lemania 1873, and some come in different movement variations despite having the same model number.

Older Speedmasters used versions of the Lemania 2310, the under the Omega Cal. 321 moniker, and a nice vintage example is worth roughly twice a new model.

[estrickland]

Here's a picture of the FOIS. Throwback hands, straight lugs, cleaner pre-"Professional" dial, clearer distinction between chrono hands and sweep hands. Gorgeous.

Also waffled back and forth over getting one of these instead of the Moonwatch.
They really should have used a Hesalite crystal, and put a Cal. 321 in it (to match Wally's watch) - it would have been epic.

[Groundhog66]

Jeezus, I've always been a bit confused about the variations, thank you for attempting to clear it up for me. What do the model #'s designate? Any chance we could get pics of the different variations? Or are there really not differences in dial/hand/case combinations?

[estrickland]

Jul 3, 2013 5:28:38 GMT -8 Groundhog66 said:

Jeezus, I've always been a bit confused about the variations, thank you for attempting to clear it up for me. What do the model #'s designate? Any chance we could get pics of the different variations? Or are there really not differences in dial/hand/case combinations?

The 3570/3572/3573 all have the same dial, with minor movement differences.

This is a great article:
(Part 1 - history) www.watchprosite.com/show-forumpost.classic/fi-677/pi-2217642/ti-362532/s-0/
(Part 2 - movement) omega.watchprosite.com/show-nblog.post/ti-364597/

[buddy123]

I owned one new around 1980.  Superb watch.  It was one of my grails and I'd say go for it :-)

Why did I eventually sell it......it was heavy.  Even the guy who eventually bought it in 2002 (who seemed to know a thing or two about them) said it was heavy on the bracelet.  Maybe they changed them a little over the years and made them lighter.....dunno. 

I wouldn't say no to another one though :-)

[msa6712]

As others have stated, there are no cons...the 3570 is THE one to own IMHO, BTW, I think you may see one or two in my pic below:

 

[seikoholic]

I own a 2008 Speedy Pro.  It's a gorgeous watch actually, really something, one of my favorites.  However, I make some concessions to the fact that it's a classic design.  I'll forgive the fact that it's just an analog watch with no day or date feature, and that it's not automatic.  I'd love both things.  But adding either one would instantly make the watch not be a Speedy Pro.

While I don't wear this watch as often I should, I know that if I ever sold it, it would just be a matter of time before I bought another one.

[donciccio]

Jul 4, 2013 19:42:16 GMT -8 seikoholic said:

I own a 2008 Speedy Pro.  It's a gorgeous watch actually, really something, one of my favorites.  However, I make some concessions to the fact that it's a classic design.  I'll forgive the fact that it's just an analog watch with no day or date feature, and that it's not automatic.  I'd love both things.  But adding either one would instantly make the watch not be a Speedy Pro.

While I don't wear this watch as often I should, I know that if I ever sold it, it would just be a matter of time before I bought another one.

Hypnotoad says "send the watch to Chris".

[Groundhog66]

The more I learn, the more I want. popcorn

[buddy123]

www.lesmala.net/jean-michel/speedmaster/history.htm

Hope this helps all.

I'm now looking for a late 145.0022 - 861 cal. (before they changed the brake lever to delron).  Used to have one and wish I'd never parted with it :-(

[Groundhog66]

This is such a classic look, I have to add one to the collection sooner or later.....Ok, obviously later. 

[thianwong]

Aug 1, 2013 4:56:57 GMT -8 buddy123 said:

www.lesmala.net/jean-michel/speedmaster/history.htm

Hope this helps all.

I'm now looking for a late 145.0022 - 861 cal. (before they changed the brake lever to delron).  Used to have one and wish I'd never parted with it :-(

Here is my 145.022 from 1992 with the 861 caliber. I like it but don't wear it much...like some other guys....strange, huh! I also have the 2 X-33s too...
I have to correct my error...mine is a 145.0022! The spec sheet done by a watch store incorrectly typed in the wrong number, as the serial number places the watch in the .0022 time period of 1991-2...